Device for retaining articles therein



Dec. 21, 1965 J. o. BURMAN, JR 3,224,480

DEVICE FOR RETAINING ARTICLES THEREIN Filed Sept. 23, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. J05 29%; 0. Ezarwmgc/F:

3,224 N JR o. BURM Dec. 21 ICE FOR RETAINING ARTICLES THERE DEV heet 2 2Sheet 5 F-led Sept 23, 1965 75 a? TOR M7 INVE Jr Jase/6% a zurmailv 57-W WM United States Patent 3,224,480 DEVICE FOR RETAINING ARTICLESTHEREIN Joseph 0. Barman, J12, Attleboro, Mass., assignor to ProgressiveMachinery Corp, Attleboro, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts FiledSept. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 310,747 Claims. (Cl. 150-40) The presentinvention relates to a device for retaining articles therein. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a key case constructionwherein similarly formed shell-like cover sections are located in hingedrelation with respect to each other by means of a preassembled plateassembly that includes hingedly connected plates that are secured to thecover sections.

As will be described hereinafter, the present invention has particularapplication as a key case construction. However, it will be understoodfrom the following description that the device embodied herein may alsobe utilized for retaining a variety of articles therein. In the usualform of an article holder such as a key case known heretofore, coversections of identical size and shape were usually drawn in a shell-likeconfiguration and were hingedly connected together by some form of hingestructure. The hinge structure was normally formed as an integral partof each of the shell sections. Since some form of a latch constructionis required in article retaining devices of this type, the latch meanswas also formed as part of each of the shell sections or was joinedthereto in some suitable fashion. If the device was to be used as a keycase, key retaining means in these prior known constructions weresecured directly to one of the shell sections by any suitable means,such as rivets or the like.

The present invention defines a unique departure from the containers andcase constructions known heretofore for retaining keys and other similararticles therein. In the fabrication of the device of the presentinvention, substantially identical shell sections are also formed by anysuitable process, such as the drawing technique. However, in the presentinvention the shell sections are not directly attached to each other asin the prior known devices. A plate assembly that is individually formedand assembled is provided and includes a first plate that is adapted tobe secured within one of the shell sections and a second plate that isadapted to be secured within the other shell section. The plates aresecured in the shell sections by tabs that are struck out of thematerial from which the shell sections are formed, the tabs beinginserted through suitable slots or openings that are formed in theplates. Prior to the securing of the plates within the shell sections,they are hingedly connected together, so that when they are securedwithin their respective shell sections, the shell sections are disposedin hinged relation with respect to each other.

The preassembled plate assembly of the present invention furtherincludes latch members that are formed as an integral part thereof andcooperate to retain the shell sections in the closed position thereof.In the key case construction as will be described, a key retaining unitis also formed as part of one of the plates and is preassembled in theplate assembly prior to the insertion of the plate assembly intoengagement with the shell sections.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adevice for retaining articles therein that includes a preassembled plateassembly that is secured to separable sections for locating the sectionsin hinged relation with respect to each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key case constructionwherein a key retaining unit, latch means and hinge means are all formedas a unitary construction and are preassembled for securement to theshells of the key case.

3,224,480 Patented Dec. 21, 1965 'ice Still another object is to providean article retaining case that includes opposed sections, each of whichhas an integral plate joined thereto, the plates including as a partthereof the hinge means, the latch means, and the key retaining means.

Still another object is to provide a preassembled plate assembly that isjoined to opposed sections of an article holding case wherein the plateassembly is secured to the opposed sections by tabs that are struck fromthe material from which the sections are fabricated.

Still another object is to provide a device for retaining articlestherein that includes a pair of opposed sections of similar size andconfiguration to which are joined plates, the plates being hingedlyinterconnected for hingedly joining said sections in hinged relation.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered inconnection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplatedfor carrying out the present invention;

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the key case construction embodied hereinas it appears in the open position thereof and prior to the placing ofliners therein;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the key case illustrated in FIG. 1 in theclosed position thereof;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the key case construction shown inFIG. 2 and illustrating the projecting latch member;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the closed key case constructionillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view with parts shown in section of the lockelement formed as part of the key retaining unit;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view with parts shown in section of thepreassembled plate assembly as it appears in the open position andincluding the assembly therewith of the lock element illustrated in FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational View of the open plate assembly shown inFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end elevational view of the plate assembly illustrated inFIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of one of the shell-like cover sections of thekey case construction;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the other shell-like cover section of thekey case construction;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along lines 1111 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along lines 1212 in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 13 is a view of one of the key holders for use in the keyconstruction and showing the open position thereof for receiving a keythereon.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, the key caseembodied in the present invention is illustrated and is generallyindicated at 10. As shown in FIG; 1, the key case construction 10 is inthe open position thereof but would normally be. retained in the closedposition thereof as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Although the deviceillustrated in the drawings and as will be described herein hasparticular application for use as a key case, it will be understood thatthe concept of the invention may be incorporated in devices for carryingarticles other than keys. With reference further to FIG. 1, it will benoted that the assembled position of the key case construction 10, asshown, does not include the usual decorative liners that would normallybe incorporated therein. It is understood that such liners will beinserted into the cover sections of the key case and may take anydesired form and appearance.

The key case construction 10 includes a pair of shelllike cover sectionsgenerally indicated at 12and 14 which,

as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, have substantially the same shape andconfiguration. Both the cover sections 12 and 14 may be formed in anysuitable manner but are preferably fabricated by the well-known drawingprocedure and, as shown in FIG. 10, the cover section 12 includes a bodyportion 16 to which marginal walls 18 are integrally joined. Themarginal walls 18 circumscribe the body portion 16 to form the shellconfiguration therewith, one of the elongated side marginal walls havinga recess 20 formed therein for receiving a latch member as willhereinafter be described. A recess 21 is also formed in an end marginalwall of the cover section 12 and is adapted to receive a channel-shapedreinforcing rim as will be described below. Struck out from the bodyportion 16 of the shell-like cover section 12 are a plurality of spacedtabs 22, 24 and 26, the tabs forming corresponding slots 28', 30 and 32in the body portion 16. As shown in FIG. 10, the tabs 22, 24 and 26 arelocated in upstanding relation but, as will be described, these tabs areadapted to be bent over for securing a plate of a plate assembly withinthe cover section 12.

The shell-like cover section 14 is formed substantially identical to thecover section 12 and also includes a body portion 34 to which marginalwalls 36 are integrally joined. Formed in the body portion 34 of thecover section 14 and struck out therefrom are tabs 38, 40 and 42. Thesetabs are similar in construction to tabs 22, 24 26 and, as shown in FIG.9, form corresponding slots 44, 46, 47 in the body portion 34. The tabs38, 40, 42 are also shown in FIG. 9 in the upstanding position but areadapted to be bent over for securing a plate within the cover section14, as will hereinafter be described. A recess 49 is formed in an endmargin of the cover section 14 and is also adapted to receive achannel-shaped reinforcing rim to be described below.

Contrary to the formation and fabrication of the heretofore known keycases of the general type of the present invention, the cover sections12 and 14 are not provided with hinge means thereon. The cover sections12, 14 furthermore do not have any latch structure nor any means forretaining keys therein as initially constructed. The hinge assembly, thelatch means and the key retailiing unit are all formed in a separateunitary construction apart from the cover sections and are included aspart of a plate assembly generally indicated at 48. As shown in FIG. 6,the plate assembly 48 includes a plate 50 on one edge of which a latchmember 52 is joined by means of a reduced extension 54. The latch member52 is formed with a flange 56 which is adapted to receive in latchedrelation a corresponding latch element for securing the cover sectionsin closed position as will be described below. Referring to FIG. 8, ashortened inclined wall 58 is shown joined to the plate 50 on the sideopposite the latch member 52, hinge knuckles 60 being integrally joinedto the inclined wall 58. The hinge knuckles 60 form part of a hingeconstruction that is adapted to connect the cover sections 12 and 14 inhinged relation.

Also formed as part of the plate assembly 48 is a plate 62 which isadapted to be secured within the shell-like cover section 14. The plate62 includes a latch element 64 that extends outwardly and upwardly ofthe outer edge of the plate 62 and is joined thereto by a reducedextension 66. As will be described hereinafter, the latch element 64 isformed with a lip that is adapted to engage the flange 56 of the latchmember 52 for latching the cover sections in the closed positionthereof. In order to pivotally interconnect the plates 50 and 6 2, ashortened inclined wall 68 is provided that is integrally joined to thebody portion 62 and to which hinge knuckles 70 are integrally joined.The hinge knuckles 60 and 70 cooperate to receive a hinge pin 72therethrough, which, as shown in FIG. 8, pivotally connects the plates50, 62 in hinged relation. As further shown in FIG. 6, the pin 72includes outwardly extending bent end portions 74 and 76 that bearagainst the outer surfaces of the plates 50, 62, re-

spectively, and thereby act as spring means for normally retaining theplate assembly 48 in the open position thereof, as illustrated in FIG.6.

The plate 62 of the plate assembly 48 is further formed with an upwardlyprojecting end portion that defines a reinforcing rim 78, the rim 78being channel-shaped in configuration. The rim 78 is proportioned forfitting in the recess 49 and receives the adjacent portion of themarginal wall of the cover section 14 for aiding in the securement ofthe plate 62 to the cover section 14. The plate 50 further includes akey retaining unit generally indicated at 75 that includes an extension80 integrally joined to the plate 50 and to which an arched portion 82is integrally connected. Extending through the arched portion 82 isspaced relation are a plurality of slots 84, while circular type grooves86 are also formed in the arched portion 82 at the topmost end thereof,each circular groove 86 communicating with a slot 84. This constructionis well known in the key cases of this type and is used for locking akey retaining member having an enlarged head in the key retaining unit75. A reinforcing rim 88 joined directly to the arched portion 82 isproportioned for fitting into the recess 21 andis provided with achannel configuration for receiving the upper edge of the adjacentportion of the marginal wall 18 of the cover section 12.

The key retaining unit 75 is completed by a lock element generallyindicated at 90 which, as shown in FIG. 5, includes a plate 92, on theouter end of which a curved overlapping hook 94 is formed and on theinner end of which an elongated spring finger 96 is formed. Joined tothe plate 92 is an enlarged arched portion 98 in which spaced openings100 are formed. The arched portion 98 is slightly smaller than thearched portion 82 and interfits therein in telescoping relation. In thenormal position of the key retaining unit 75, the openings 100 and theslots 84 are located in aligned relation. However, the portions betweenopenings 100 cover the grooves 86 and thus restrict passage of a keyretaining. member therethrough. The bent-over hook 94 overlies theextension 80 of the plate 50 and limits movement of the lock element 90to the right as seen in FIG. 1. Since the spring finger 96 projectsbehind the latch member 52 as shown in FIG. 1, the lock element 90 isnormally retained in the position illustrated in FIG. 12 and is biasedagainst the action of the spring finger 96 when it is moved to the openposition illustrated in FIG. 11. For the purpose of manually urging lockelement 90 to the open position of the key retaining unit during a keysecuring or releasing operation, an upwardly projecting tab 102 isprovided and is located at the end of the extension 92, which, as willbe described, positions the tab 102 adjacent a marginal edge of thecover section 12 for ready access thereto.

The basic concept of the key retaining unit 75 per se is well known inthe art and utilizes a plurality of key retaining members 107, one ofwhich is illustrated in FIG. 13. The key retaining members 107 areformed of spring material and are provided with an enlarged end portion109 that cooperates to define a generally spherical end. The remainingportion of the retaining member 107 has a looped configuration forreceiving a key thereon. The spherical end of the key retaining memberis adapted to be inserted through a groove 86 of the arched portion 82and can be inserted through the groove 86 when the enlarged openings 100in the lock element 90 are aligned with the grooves 86. In order toalign the openings 100 with the grooves 86, the tab 102 is forced to theleft as seen in FIGS. 6, 11 and 12 against the action of the springfinger 96, carrying the lock element 90 therewith. As shown in FIG. 11,when the openings 100 and the grooves 86 are aligned, the key retainingmembers 107 may be removed from the assembly or inserted therein asdesired.

In order to secure the plate assembly 48 in position and to locate thecover sections 12 and 14 in pivotal relation with respect to each other,the plates 50 and 62 aresecured within the cover sections 12 and 14,respectively. The plate assembly 48 is located such that the inclinedextensions 58 and 68 are disposed in overlying relation with respect toadjacent marginal walls 18 and 36 of the cover sections 12 and 14. Thehinge axis of the plate assembly 48 is thus disposed directly over theseadjacent marginal walls 18 and 36. The slots 104, 106 and 108 are thenaligned with the tabs 22, 24 and 26 of the cover section 12 to securethe plate 50 therein. The tabs 22, 24, 26 are bent over to the positionillustrated in FIG. 1 to firmly lock the plate 50 in position. Thechannel-shaped reinforcing rim 88 is also secured to the cover section12 by properly locating the rim 88 in the recess 21 and locking the rimaround the edge of the adjacent marginal wall. The plate 62 is lockedwithin the cover section 14 similarly to that described in connectionwith plate 50, the tabs 38, 40 and 42 extending through the alignedslots 110, 112 and 114, respectively. The tabs 38, 40 and 42 are thenfolded in overlapping relation with respect to the adjacent surfaces ofthe plate 62, and the channel-shaped reinforcing rim 78 is clamped intoengaging relation with the adjacent marginal wall 36 of the coversection 14. In the assembled position of the plate assembly 48, thelatch member 52 is disposed within the recess 20 of the cover section12. The latch element 64 is located within the cover section 14 suchthat when the cover sections are disposed in opposed relation, the latchelement 64 with the inturned lip engages the flanges 56 of the latchmember 52 to lock the cover sections in a closed position. It isapparent that the cover sections are moved to the closed positionthereof against the action of the spring ends 74, 76. When the key caseis located in the closed position thereof and the latch member 52 isdepressed, the spring ends 74, 76 will act to spring the cover membersto the open position thereof as illustrated in FIG. 1. In the insertionor release of a key from the key retaining means, it is only necessaryto depress the tab 102 to the left as seen in FIG. 1 to align theopenings 100 with the grooves 86. As described and as illustrated inFIG. 11, the key retaining members 107 are then free for withdrawal fromthe assembled position or insertion to the assembled position thereof.

It is seen that the key case construction described hereinabove isunique in that the assembly is carried out by the securement of theplate assembly 48 within the cover sections 12 and 14. Since the plateassembly 48 is a preassembled unit, the assembly therewith to the coversections 12 and 14 can be carried out with relative economy and ease ofperformance. The tabs as struck or punched out of the cover sectionseffectively retain the plate assembly 48 in engagement with the coversections and further reduce the steps required for carrying out theassembly of the key case construction. It is further understood thatboth cover sections 12 and 14 may be provided with an outer coveringmaterial, such as leather, simulated leather, plastic or the like, tofurther increase the ornamental characteristics of the device. Theinterior of the cover sections may also be provided with the usualornamental linings or other detail that is employed in devices of thistype.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a key case construction, a first cover section defined by a bodyportion to which marginal walls are joined, a second cover sectionsimilar to that of said first cover section and including a body portionto which marginal walls are joined, tabs struck out from the bodyportions of said cover sections, a plate assembly formed as a unit andincluding a first plate that is secured within one of said coversections by the tabs therein, and a second plate that is hingedlyconnected to said first plate and that is secured within the other ofsaid cover sections by the tabs located therein, said first plateincluding a latch element and said second plate including a latch memberthat cooperates with said latch element to lock said cover sections in aclosed position, said second plate having key retaining means associatedtherewith that retains keys thereon, said keys being located within saidcover sections when they are latched in the closed position thereof.

2. In a key case construction, a pair of shells of similar size andconfiguration, each of said shells being formed with a body portion thatis bounded by marginal edges, a first plate secured within one of saidshells and having a latch member formed as an integral part thereof, asecond plate secured within the other of said shells and having a latchelement formed as an integral part thereof, each of said plates havingspaced hinge knuckles formed on an edge thereof and located in adjacentrelation to an inner marignal edge of the associated shell, a hinge pinextending through said hinge knuckles for hingedly interconnecting saidplates, wherein said shells are located in hinged relation with respectto each other, and key retaining means associated with one of saidplates for retaining keys thereon.

3. In a key case construction as set forth in claim 2, each of saidshells being formed of a metallic material and having spaced tabsstamped out of the body portion thereof that extend interiorly thereof,each of said plates including spaced slots that are aligned with thetabs formed in said shells for receiving said tabs therein, said tabsbeing located in folded overlying relation with respect to the edges ofthe slots through which they extend for securing said plates within saidshells.

4. In a key case construction as set forth in claim 2, said latchelement and said latch member being located adjacent an outer marginaledge of the shell in which their respective plates are secured, saidlatch member being exteriorly exposed for engagement in order to releasethe shells from the latched position thereof.

5. In a device for retaining articles therein, a first cover sectionformed in a shell-like configuration, a second cover section formed in ashell-like configuration that is substantially identical to that of saidfirst cover section, a plate assembly including a first plate securedwithin one of said cover sections and a second plate hingedly connectedto said first plate and secured within the other of said cover sections,an article retaining construction joined to one of said plates, latchmeans joined directly to each of said plates for locating said coversections is a closed position, and tabs struck out of the material fromwhich said cover sections are formed, said tabs engaging said plates forsecuring them to their respective cover sections.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,598,991 9/1926Strauss 46 X 2,228,726 l/1941 Loesch 20637 2,849,044 8/1958 Reitzel15040 3,067,793 12/1962 Oollings ISO-40 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, PrimaryExaminer.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner.

1. IN A KEY CASE CONSTRUCTION, A FIRST COVER SECTION DEFINED BY A BODYPORTION TO WHICH MARGINAL WALLS ARE JOINED, A SECOND COVER SECTIONSIMILAR TO THAT OF SAID FIRST COVER SECTION AND INCLUDING A BODY PORTIONTO WHICH MARGINAL WALLS ARE JOINED, TABS STRUCK OUT FROM THE BODYPORTIONS OF SAID COVER SECTIONS, A PLATE ASSEMBLY FORMED AS A UNIT ANDINCLUDING A FIRST PLATE THAT IS SECURED WITHIN ONE OF SAID COVERSECTIONS BY THE TABS THEREIN, AND A SECOND PLATE THAT IS HINGEDLYCONNECTED TO SAID FIRST PLATE AND THAT IS SECURED WITHIN THE OTHER OFSAID COVER SECTIONS BY THE TABS LOCATED THEREIN, SAID FIRST PLATEINCLUDING A LATCH ELEMENT AND SAID SECOND PLATE INCLUDING A LATCH MEMBERTHAT COOPERATES WITH SAID LATCH ELEMENT TO LOCK SAID COVER SECTIONS IN ACLOSED POSITION, SAID SECOND PLATE HAVING KEY RETAINING MEANS ASSOCIATEDTHEREWITH THAT RETAINS KEYS THEREON, SAID KEYS BEING LOCATED WITHIN SAIDCOVER SECTIONS WHEN THEY ARE LATCHED IN THE CLOSED POSITION THEREOF.